Amazon launch scheduled for June 18, rumors point to 3D eye-tracking phone

Amazon has scheduled a product launch for later this month at its headquarters in Seattle, WA. We are not being told what type of device we should expect but Amazon has started to tease the new model with a picture of one of its corners and a video. In the latter, which you can watch at the bottom of this page, the new product can't be seen but viewers are witnessing the reactions and facial expressions of people who appear to be using it for the first time.

It would be an understatement to say that the users in the video seem excited. Them tilting their heads and making statements such as "It moved with me", "I would use that a lot" or "that's pretty darn intuitive" seem to indicate we might be looking at a new smartphone with some sort of 3D eye-tracking user interface - as per rumors dating from late last year.

This theory would also be supported by the registration website for the launch event. On the site Amazon customers, journalists and developers can request an invite for the event on the 18th of June. The latter group are asked a specific set of questions including "Are you interested in developing apps utilizing a new type of sensor?" and "Describe an innovative way in which you have used gyroscopes, accelerometers, or other device sensors in your app development."

So Amazon clearly seems to have something new and exciting up its sleeve. However, we'll have to wait a couple of weeks longer to find out exactly what it is.

If a new smartphone with 3D eye-tracking using multiple cameras is indeed in the works, we're curious to see what potential it might have for mobile photographers.

Eye-tracking data is highly valuable to advertisers, so they can maximise the effectiveness of page design and advertisement layout. Is this Google's way to get instant feedback on its page design from lots of unsuspecting test-subjects, ie us?

I didn't know that Amazon owns DPR. That explains a lot. Amazon has ignored user requests for years to change some of the idiotic formatting on Kindles, just like DPR refuses to get rid of the idiotic white text on black background that makes you see stripes in front of your eyes. I'm sure this new Amazon device will sell dozens of units just like its latest sibling the AmazonTV. Bwahahahjahjahaha!!!!!!!!

I prefer white text on black background, easier on the eyes. Gamespot has the option to switch between b or w background some time ago, I kept the black. Pictures, videos look better with black background...

Amazon owning DPreview, well that has been awhile. I think this was a British site (all the old London Bridge photo references) until amazon moved them to Seattle. Notice the writers having English last name (granted the US is a melting pot) not the common ones here. Amazon got deep pocket and need some references for all the camera they sold. Did you ever noticed the dpreview link/references on amazon? I think amazon is the largest seller of digital cameras out there, nothing new here.

Errrr, DPR is owned by Amazon. Chinese walls or just poorly disguised publicity? Not that it's needed :-) If it offers innovative technology, works well as a phone, and is competitively priced then it'll sell.

Yes indeed we are, but there is no relationship between us and the various bits of Amazon that create hardware. And Lars is a freelance writer for us, based in another country so he has zero visibility into Amazon's future plans beyond the rumors that we're all looking at.